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So just recently I made the HUGE switch of jumping from using Squarespace as my website design platform to Showit (one I had barely heard of when I started my research!).

But to make start from scratch building a website felt wildly overwhelming so I opted to purchase a template to get me started and thankfully I found Emma Troys template! (PS. Check out Emma’s incredible templates here!! I used Frankie!)

In today’s episode, I chat with special guest, Emma Troy, on all things Showit PLUS helping you decide whether you should DIY/template design your website, OR hire a professional.

What’s the Purpose of Your Website?

When choosing a website builder platform, carefully consider the primary purpose of your website. Do you aim to sell products, showcase your portfolio, offer services, host courses, or publish a blog? Different platforms have various functionalities and strengths, so align your choice with your business goals and target audience.

TIP: Write a list of everything you need your business to do now, and things you might dream of doing in the future. Then research the platforms you’ve been considering and see if their functionality holds up.

Explore Showit for Creativity and Customization

Showit, often likened to Canva in the website world, provides a 100% drag-and-drop builder, offering unparalleled creative freedom and ease of customization. This makes it a great choice for service-based businesses, bloggers, and creatives seeking visually stunning websites. There templates you can use for free or purchase (like I grabbed Emma’s!) which can serve as a solid starting point for your website.

TIP: List out the kinds of pages you need your website to have (ie. I needed: home, about, course, podcast/blog, contact, etc.). And find a template that has most (if not all) of these pages built in so you don’t have to build a single page from scratch!

Understand the Integration with WordPress

For those emphasising blogging as part of their business strategy (like this page you’re on right now), Showit has a seamless integration with WordPress (best in the blogging biz) for content management. This partnership simplifies the user’s experience and design process, allowing for flexibility and robust blogging capabilities.

TIP: This DOES increase Showits platform fee. But totally worth it in my opinion for such a powerful blogging system.

Recognize Platform Limitations

While Showit excels in creativity and design flexibility, it’s important to acknowledge its limitations. Showit is not an ecommerce platform, and it requires integration with third-party shopping carts for selling products. Considerations such as e-commerce functionalities, ease of use, tech-savviness, and ongoing maintenance are essential when evaluating a website builder platform.

Remember, your website is often the first impression you make on potential customers, so investing time and resources in its development can yield significant returns for your small business. Whether you choose to DIY or work with a web designer, the right approach to website design can be a game-changer for your business.

Here’s to empowering women in small business and crafting exceptional online experiences that leave a lasting impact!

Check out Emma’s Showit Templates here.

Or try Showit here.

ABOUT EMMA:

Emma Troy is a brand designer, website expert and Showit design partner for creatives, coaches and entrepreneurial adventurers, helping them transform their boring brands and bland websites into (nearly) magical money-making masterpieces. Over the past 12 years Emma has helped 500+ businesses across the globe create immersive online experiences that illustrate their story and illuminate their value through both easy-to-use templates and custom designs.

CONNECT WITH EMMA:

https://emmatroy.com.au/

https://emmatroy.com.au/blueprint

https://emmatroy.com.au/demo

https://www.instagram.com/emmatroydesign

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